I Used to Think Jeans Were Boring, But These 6 Elevated Outfits Just Changed My Mind

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(Image credit: @emmaleger)

Spring is denim's time to shine. Every fashion person I know usually orders a new pair of jeans or two for the new season, myself included. I look forward to styling my jeans all summer long, and now that spring is knocking on my front door, it's time to start shifting my focus to all of the elevated ways I'm planning to wear jeans this season. I'm a former L.A. girl turned New Yorker, and one thing about living in Los Angeles is that everyone wears jeans all the time. So after two years in the City of Angels, I have racked up quite a collection of jeans. While I love a good pair of jeans, styling them can sometimes feel a little boring. This spring, my fashion intention is to be anything but. This led me to a deep dive into my social media feeds for all the chic ways to wear jeans under the sun, and six of them stood out to me above the rest.

Keep scrolling for all of the outfit formulas with jeans that I'm re-creating this spring.

1. Button-Down Shirt + Leather Belt 

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(Image credit: @cassdimicco)

Style Notes: This outfit formula has been a go-to of mine for years. It's almost a uniform for me when it comes to transitional season office looks. It's easy, stylish, and the classiest way to wear denim. I'll definitely be wearing this outfit on repeat this spring.

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2. Lots of Layers + Heels

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(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Style Notes: Layering season is upon us, and there's nothing like a good layered look paired with jeans. I love how this look is styled above, taking a button-down, sweater, and jacket and topping the whole thing off with great heels. I love it—I have no notes.

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3. White Tank + Belt + Sunglasses

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(Image credit: @jourdansloane)

Style Notes: If you want to look chic in five minutes or less, this is the look for you. This ensemble is all about the fit. When simplicity is the vibe, tailoring needs to be at the forefront, so make sure you're picking your favourite high-quality white tank and your best-fitting jeans. This is totally the type of look I would wear to walk around NYC with my friends.

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4. Ankle Boots + Leather Bomber Jacket

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(Image credit: @hoskelsa)

Style Notes: This look screams spring. You can never go wrong with denim and ankle boots. I know I wear mine all season long. This outfit has a cool-casual feel to it that I'm super into. I would add a chic pair of sunglasses to top it off.

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5. Waistcoat + Ballet Flats

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(Image credit: @emmaleger)

Style Notes: I don't know about you, but I'm seeing waistcoats everywhere, and I'm obsessed. It's the perfect way to style jeans and feels so stylish and fresh. The ballet flats make this the perfect weekday outfit. I can guarantee you'll be seeing me wearing outfits like this around New York.

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6. Double Denim

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(Image credit: @iamzoefoster)

Style Notes: If you're ever stuck when it comes to styling denim, go the Canadian-tuxedo route. This classic Americana look is a fashion-person favourite and can be very chic when done right. This outfit is going to be all about accessories and shoes, so make sure you choose wisely.

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Assistant Editor

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Grace has always been a lover of all things fashion and beauty. Upon receiving her first degree in visual communications from FIDM in Los Angeles, she moved to New York City and continued her education at LIM College, majoring in fashion media with a minor in society and culture. Grace has worked for PhotoBook magazine, Insider, and Harper's Bazaar. As a writer, Grace has had pieces published covering topics including racial justice, fashion, politics, and current events. During her free time, she loves wine tasting, creating content for her social media, spending time with friends, traveling to new places, and Pilates, and has a love for reality television, especially The Real Housewives. Grace is the person in your friend group everyone goes to for recommendations for the best place to grab drinks in NYC on a Friday night or the best hotels and restaurants to try when traveling to a new city. While fashion is her main love, she loves all things wellness and lifestyle as well. Her ideal sunday is brunching with friends then walking around furniture shopping and listening to a podcast. As the assistant shopping editor at Who What Wear, Grace loves finding the best buys out there for the WWW readers.